Monday 30 / September / 2024
Al Awabi: Stal is one of the Wadi Bani Kharous villages in the Wilayat of Al Awabi in Governorate of South Al Batinah.
It is a gateway to the valley that often enjoys considerable tourist activities, and a destination for tourists from within and outside the Sultanate, due to its attractive tourism sites, including beautiful locations, wonderful weather and many historical landmarks.
Stal village is about 13km from the centre of the Wilayat of Al Awabi. It is characterised by its mild summers and cold winters.
The village is also famous for various types of agricultural crops, due to its fertile soil and an abundance of fresh water. Among the most important crops are date palm trees of various kinds, as well as lemon, onion, garlic, sesame, barley, corn, wheat, quince, bitter orange and other crops that constitute sources of income for the villagers.
There are two Falaj “ancient irrigation systems” in the village, the first is “Mana’a’” and the other is ‘’Stal’’, which is used by villagers to irrigate their farms and for daily use.
Stal village gave birth to many imams, scholars and writers, as did the other villages of Wadi Bani Khruos. Among the most prominent imams who were born in the village is the fifth imam in Oman, Imam A’Salt bin Malik Al Kharousi, Sheikh Al Faqih Mansour bin Mohammed bin Nasser Al Kharousi, the poet Salim bin Bashir Al Kharousi, and the poet and writer Said bin Mohammed bin Rashid bin Bashir Al Ghashri Al Kharousi, known as “Al Stali”.
Historical monuments
There are several important historical monuments left by the imams and scholars who were born in the village. Also, there are three mosques in A’Saloot neighbourhood, located in the far north of the village, which were built during the reign of Imam A’Salt bin Malik Al Kharousi.
Additionally, there are several old houses, such as “Al Gharraq,” which is located near Al Falaj. It is built of mud and stones and villagers believe it dates back more than 200 years, in addition to “Al Sabah House,” which is located at the entrance of the old neighbourhood. It was built of stones and mud and has two floors. Villagers think it is more than 150 years old.
As Al Sabla (Majlis) represents great importance in the social system in the Sultanate, there are many archaeological Majalis, such as Al Sahmah and Al Lathbah, in addition to the recently built new Sabla.
These Majalis are still used by villagers in their daily lives and for different occasions.
Stal village, like other villages in various governorates of the Sultanate, enjoys many services and projects during the prosperous reign of His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said.
These include Wadi Bani Kharous Hospital and the Branch of Al Awabi Municipality, which provides various municipal services to all the villages of Wadi Bani Khrous.
